VSAN-Troubleshooting-Reference-Manual

Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Reference Manual – Virtual SAN
Virtual SAN uses server-based storage components to recreate the functions
normally found in enterprise storage arrays. This architectural approach demands a
rigorous discipline in sourcing and maintaining the correct storage I/O controllers,
disks, flash devices, device drivers and firmware, as documented in the VMware
Virtual SAN VCG. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will often result in erratic
performance, excessive error messages or both.
This guide demonstrates how to verify that your Virtual SAN is working correctly,
and if it is not working well, how to find the cause.
Layout of this document
This document will first introduce the reader to the various tools that are available
for troubleshooting Virtual SAN. The reader will also be shown various commands
and tools in chapter 3 that will allow them to determine whether or not their
hardware is on the VMware Compatibility Guide for Virtual SAN. This is most
important.
Once a reader has confirmed that they are using supported hardware, the primary
purpose of chapter 4, the document examines tools and commands that are
available for on-going proactive monitoring and reactive troubleshooting of Virtual
SAN networking, storage, and performance. This makes up the bulk of the
remainder of the reference manual. In most all cases, the reader is provided with a
description of why the command is useful, and examples of the expected output
from many of the commands is shown.
An overview on how to use certain VSAN specific tools in provided. Notably, the
reader is shown how to use the Ruby vSphere Console (RVC) and VSAN Observer
effectively.
In order to understand the output displayed in some of these commands, the reader
is provided with certain internal details of Virtual SAN. However the reader needs to
be aware that some outputs from the tools are primarily for the purposes of
VMware’s support and engineering staff. This is highlighted in the text.
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